Reversible umbrella



Nov. 29, 1955 ESTES ETAL 2,725,066

REVERSIBLE UMBRELLA Filed Jan. 31, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l ISnnentor and(2: 2 B House (Ittornegi N v- 29, 1955 R. B. ESTES ET AL 2,725,066

REVERSIBLE UMBRELLA Filed Jan. 31, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Buoentor RufusB [5125 Care y E House M s!!! a M Nov. 29, 1955 R. B. ESTES ET'ALREVERSIBLE UMBRELLA 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 31, 1951 Zsnventor 114Rufils B. E5325 y House (Ittorneg United States Patent REVERSIBLEUMBRELLA Rufus B. Estes and Carey E. House, Knoxville, Tenn.

Application January 31, 1951, Serial No. 208,704

20 Claims. (Cl. 13520) This invention relates to improvements inumbrellas.

One object of this invention is to provide an umbrella which, whenclosed or collapsed, has the top or outside surface of the coverentirely on the inside, so that the dry underside of the cover of theumbrella is on the outside and thus prevents wetting the clothing of thecarrier or other articles with which it may come in contact.

A further object of this invention is to provide an umbrella that has aremovable or detachable cover, so that the color and type of material inthe cover may be changed from time to time to match or complement theother articles of apparel worn by the user.

Another object of the invention is to improve-the construction ofumbrellas to make them more practical and less liable to damage due tohigh wind, whereby the umbrella can be opened up directly above the headand will not be turned inside out and damaged or destroyed due to thecollection of a gust of wind beneath the umbrella.

These objects may be accomplished by connecting the main ribs of theumbrella with the staff or handle member for movement to the oppositesides of a dead center position, lengthwise relative to the staff,whereby the covering material will be tight when said connecting deviceis moved to one side of the dead center position and will be loose andthe umbrella collapsed when said connection is moved to the oppositeside thereof. It is preferred that the covering material be a suitableelastic fabric, resilient sheet or other suitable material, or it may bean inelastic fabric if connected with the ribs by yieldable connections.

These embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of an umbrella embodying our invention,showing the same in an open position;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the umbrella embodying ourinvention shown in a closed position, with the handle inverted from thatof Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial top plan view of the umbrella;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through a modified form of theumbrella in open position;

Fig. 5 is a similar view thereof in collapsed position;

Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective view showing the connection of the mainribs and braces;

Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the connection of the main ribs andcovering material;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of the umbrella;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view through another modified formthereof in open position.

Fig. 10 is a similar view showing the collapsed position.

of the latter;

Fig. 11 is a detailed section showing the connection of the main ribsand braces in this modified form;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the umbrella carrying case;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detailed section therethrough; and

Fig. 14 is a plan view showing a modified form of connection between thefabric and ribs.

Turning now to a detailed description of one form of ice our umbrellaembodying this invention, the numeral 5 designates the staff or handleof the umbrella, which may be either solid or tubular and will vary inlength as desired. Upon one end of the handle 5, and preferablydetachably secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by threads or thelike, is a knob 6. This knob maybe of any shape desired and, of course,may be ornamental in form; and may also take the. form of a hand grip,conventional in many types of umbrellas.

Adjacent the knob there are provided upon the handle 5 external screwthreads 7, as shown. Adjacent the opposite end of the handle 5 therealso is provided a second set of external screw threads 8, similar tothe screw threads 7.

Slidably mounted upon the stafi or handle 5 is a control unit,designated generally by the numeral 9. While the control unit 9 may bemade of one piece, it is preferred that this unit be made of ,a sleeve10 provided with female threads 10 adapted to receive the male threads 7or 8 on the handle. Fitted over the sleeve 10 is an outer sleeve 11preferably provided On opposite sides thereof with a finger hold 12thereon as shown for manually operating the control unit 9. The outersleeve 11 may be slidably fitted over the inner sleeve 10 or may bescrew threaded thereon, as desired. The inner sleeve 10 flares outwardlyat one end, as shown, and has a rim 13 therearound forming an anchorring.

A plurality of ribs 14 are pivotally connected at 15, at the endadjacent the handle 5, to the anchor ring 13, as shown, and arecircumferentially spaced about said ring. The ribs 14, preferably, aresubstantially flat in cross section and should be sufliciently rigid towithstand any abnormal strain placed thereon by wind or the like. Anysuitable form of ribs may be used as desired.

An annular anchor plate 16 is rotatably mounted upon the end of thestaff or handle 5 opposite the knob 6, as best shown in Fig. l. Theanchor plate 16 is rotatably held upon the end of the handle 5 by thehead 17 of a screw 18 secured to the handle 5, and which screw passesfreely through a suitable opening provided in the center of said plate16. The plate 16 is thereby anchored to the end of the handle by virtueof its being located between the end thereof and the head 17, whilebeing rotatable thereon.

A plurality of braces 19, one each for each of the ribs 14, arepivotally connected at 20 to ears or in notches spaced about thecircumference of the annular anchor plate 16.

On the opposite end of each of the braces 19 there is provided a slidemember 21 pivotally connected thereto at 21'. Each of the slide members21 embraces and slides freely upon a guide 22. The guide 22 may beinserted in suitable recesses in each rib 14 or may be attached to theside thereof, as best shown in Fig. 3.

Affixed to the staif or handle 5 and disposed between the inner sleeve10 and the anchor plate 16 is an annular soft rubber fitting 23, whichflares outwardly forming a cup or the like, as best shown in Fig. 1.When the sleeve 10 is screwed up tightly around the rubber fitting 23, aseal is formed which prevents water from running into the control unitdown the handle.

The cover of the umbrella is designated generally by the numeral 25 andmay be of any suitable material desired, preferably elastic, such asrubberized fabric, sheet rubber, or the like, and may be of one color orvaricolored. However, inelastic material -may be used if desired. It iscontemplated that a plurality of covers be provided either of the sameor of different materials and of different colors and different shades.Each of the covers 25 is. removable so that it may be changed at thepleasure of the user to match or complement the apparel worn at the timethe umbrella is carried.

A rubber or other flexible portion 26, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 3,is glued, sewn or otherwise secured to the cover 25 and is provided witha suitable opening in the center thereof, preferably of approximatelythe same circumference or possibly a little smaller, than the outsidecircumference of the inner sleeve Elli. if desired, the cover 25 mayextend to the control unit and the rubber portion 26 may be omitted.

Spaced about the outer circumference of the cover 25 so as to bepositioned adjacent the ends of the ribs 14, are a plurality of hooks27, as best shown in Fig. 3'. The hooks 27' are secured to the cover 25in any suitable manner, as by sewing, bonding with an adhesive, or thelike. If desired, an elastic connection may be provided between thehooks 27 and the fabric 25. A hole 28' provided in the extreme outer endof each of the ribs 3.4 detachably receives one of the hooks 27 andholds the cover 25 to each rib 14-.

When it is desired to remove one cover and apply another, the hooks 27are removed from the holes 28; and the outer sleeve 11 is removed fromthe inner sleeve it This makes it possible to slide the rubber portion26 over the inner sleeve ill and down the handle 5. The knob 6 and theouter sleeve ll. with the finger hold 12 are then removed from thehandle and the cover thus can be completely removed from the frameworkof the umbrella. The new cover is simply applied by reversing theprocess. The handle 5 is passed through the opening provided in therubber portion 26, which is then slid over the inner sleeve Ill. Thehooks 27 are then attached to the ribs 14 through the openings 28. Theouter sleeve ll is then replaced over the inner sleeve 10, and theinnerrubber portion 26 is pressed firmly between the top edge of the sleeve11 and the inner sleeve it) at the point where it begins to flareoutwardly to form the anchor ring 13, as best shown in Fig. l. Any othersuitable means may be provided, as desired, for detachably securing thecenter portion 26 to the control unit 9.

The operation of the umbrella will be best understood by referring toFigs. 1 and 2. When the umbrella is in an open position, i. e., with thecover stretched tight and up, as shown in Fig. l, the control unit 9 issecurely held in place by means of the threads 8 being turned into thefemale threads ill. When it is desired to put the umbrella into a downposition, as shown in Fig. 2, the handle 5 is turned in a lefthand orcounter-clockwise direction and the threads 3 are unscrewed from thefemale threads lit until the inner sleeve in is completely free of thethreads 3. The control unit is then lowered along the handle 5 towardthe threads 7, thus bringing the ribs 14 down against the handle 5', asshown in Fig. 2. The control unit 9 is then screwed onto the threads 7'and the umbrella is thus loclred in a closed position. This action willplace the outside surface of the cover 25, which has been exposed to theweather and may be wet, on the inside of the closed umbrella, and anydroplets of water collected thereon will fall downward out of theumbrella when in the position shown in Fig. 2. Obviously, the dry insideof the cover 25' will be on the outside of the down or closed umbrellawhen in the position shown in Fig. 2.

A second embodiment of this invention is illustrated in Figs. 4 to 7,inclusive, wherein the umbrella 5i is provided with a staff or handle 51having a knob 52 secured thereto at one end thereof by any conventionalmeans.

A sleeve 53 is slidably mounted on the staff or handle 51 intermediateits ends and the sleeve 53' is externally threaded adjacent one of itsends to receive an internally threaded andexternally knurled nut 5dforming a control unit. This nut forms a hand-hold for opening andclosing the umbrella.

A plurality of elongated relatively rigid ribs 5s have one of theirrespective ends pivotally connected at 56 with the other end of thesleeve 53, while the other i ends of the ribs 55 are pivotally securedat 57 to studs 58 affixed to theumbrella cover 59. The cover 59 isformed of a pliable and preferably resilient material such as rubber,elastic fabric, or the like, as described above.

Reference is made to Fig. 4 wherein it is seen that the cover 59 issubstantially cone-shaped when in its open position and is apertured at60 to receive therethrough the shank 61 of a cap 62. As is seen in Figs.4 and 5, the shank 61 is hollow and receives the outer end of the staffor handle 51 therein and is fixed thereto.

A ring 63 is secured to the shank 61 and cooperates With the cap 62 toclamp a portion of the flexible cover 59 adjacent the aperture 65)therebetween.

The ring 63 is notched radially at 65 with intersectingcircumferentially extending wire or other pivot means 66 for pivotallyconnecting one of the ends of a plurality of braces 67 thereto. Theother ends of the braces 67 are pivoted at 68 to brackets 69 rigidlyclamped on the ribs 55 at points intermediate their respective ends.

The flexible umbrella cover 59 is connected with the braces 67, ifdesired, in any suitable manner, as by strips of flexible material 70(Fig. 6) which overlap the braces 67 at that end adjacent the pivot 63.The ends of the strips 70' may be adhesively or otherwise secured to thecover 59.

A strip of reinforcing flexible material 71 may be applied to theumbrella cover 55 adjacent the opening 60, if desired.

The cover 59 maybe formed of any flexible, waterproof material whichpossesses an added characteristic of elasticity. This is of considerableimportance inasmuch as when the umbrella is in its operative position,as shown in Pig. 4, the cover 5i? should be under a rather high degreeoftension for a purpose to be described, although other tensioning meansmay be used if desired.

Assuming the umbrella to be in its collapsed position as shown in Fig.5, the operator grasps the hand-hold 54 between his fingers and urges ittoward cap 62 along the stafi-51'. This action forces the sleeve 53 inthe same direction and initiates an upward movement of the lower ends ofthe ribs and a downward movement of the upper ends of the ribs 55 asthey rotate about their respective pivot points 56 and 68. This movementcontin'ue's until the ribs 55' reach a common plane perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis or" the handle 51. At this time the umbrella cover 59is under its maximum tension.

Asthe opposite ends of the ribs 55 pass through the common plane ordead-center position, a force is exerted on the ribs 55 by the cover 59automatically pushing sleeve 53 toward and into abutting relationship tothe adjacent end of the shank 61 of the cap 62;. Thus it is seen thatthe umbrella is maintained in its expanded position by virtue" of theforce exerted by the tension of the elastic cover.

To collapse the umbrella the operator moves the handhold in the reversedirection thereby reversing the direction of the movement of the ribs Itshould be noted, however, that as the ribs 55 approach parallel relationwith the handle 51, to assume the position shown in Fig. 5, that portionof the cover extending between the cap 62 and the strips 78 will befolded or looped upon itself as shown. This portion of the cover,secured to the braces 67; will follow the direction of the movement ofthe braces 67 to form a fold line 72. Thus, continued downward movementof the hand-hold or control unit 54 causes that portion of the cover 59between the strips and its outer periphery to fold on the line 72 towardthat portion of the cover which extends between the strips 70 and thecap 62', thereby turning the cover 59 inside out.

Another modification is shown in Fig. 8, in which the umbrella isdesignated generally at 86, with substantially a-squarecover 81* asdistinguished from the circular cover usually employed heretofore andillustrated in Fig. 3. This has a particular advantage in preventing theaccidental rolling of the umbrella by the collection of a gust g of windthere beneath or in response to an inclination of the surface on whichthe umbrella may be laid. This is a substantial advantage, not commonlypresent in most umbrellas in use heretofore.

Moreover, as distinguished from the structure shown in Figs. 4 to 7, theform shown in Fig. 8 has ribs 82 externally of the cover 81, in the samegeneral relation illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3. The ribs 82 are anchoredto a slidable hand-hold member generally designated at 83, slidablealong the staff 84 of the umbrella to opposite sides of a dead-centerposition as described above. The means of attaching the ribs 82 to thecover 81 and the hand-hold 83 may be of any suitable form as desired,such as has been described above. Braces are shown at 85 connectingintermediate the lengths of the ribs 82 and extending therefrom toconnections generally indicated at 86 at the end of the staff or handle84. These connections also may be similar to those described above or ofother suitable form.

Still another form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 9 to 14, asa modification of that shown in Figs. 4 to 7. In this form, the staif ismade in two sections designated respectively at 90 and 91, telescopedupward for relative lengthwise sliding movement between collapsed andextended positions. The section 91 carries a cap 92 and also hasslidably mounted thereon the hand-hold 93 when the umbrella is in theraised position as shown in Fig. 9, but this hand-hold is capable ofsliding movement to the lower end portion of the section 90 when theseparts are collapsed with respect to each other.

Each of the main ribs is also sectional, one section 94 being pivotallyconnected with the hand-hold 93, as described above in connection withFig. 4, while the other section 95 of each rib is telescoped with thesection 94. The section 95 also has attached thereto a brace 96,pivotally connecting the rib to the cap 92 in the manner describedabove. The sections 94 and 95 are normally extended relative to eachother and held in expandable relation in any suitable manner, such as bya spring catch 97 as shown in Fig. ll.

The spring catches 97 may be withdrawn from their holding relation withthe sections 95 by a ring 98 slidable lengthwise along the staif section90 to a position for engaging the respective spring catches. All of thecatches are moved simultaneously by the ring 98 and thereby release thesections for collapsing, withdrawing the catches from holding relationwith the rib sections 95 along the latter to slide lengthwise over thesections 94.

Normally the ring 98 is held in a retracted position on the handlesection 90 by screw threaded engagement at 99 with a portion of thesection 90. The ring 98 may be unscrewed from the connection 99 andmoved lengthwise of the staff, and after releasing the catches 97,- orupon action extending the staff to its normal length, the ring 98 may bere-engaged in its secure position at 99.

Provision may be made if desired for enclosingthe umbrella in acollapsable covering. In this form, as illustrated, the covering isshown as provided by a plurality of telescoped sections of tubes,designated at 100,101 and 102 respectively, three of which are shown,but" any suitable number may be used, as desired. 'Each of the tubularsections 100 and 101, is provided with an outturned flange or rib on oneend, designated generally at 103 and the sections 101 and 102 areprovided with an in-turned flange or rib 104 on the opposite endthereof, whereby interlocking of the sections will be provided tomaintain them in extended telescoped relation.

The section 102 is externally screw threaded at its opposite ends. Oneof thescrew threaded ends is adapted to engage a screw threadedconnection 105 provided on the handle section 90, to hold the coveringtubes in collapsed position where they may form, if desired, a handle orhand grip for the umbrella. In the opposite position shown in Fig. 12,with the sections extended,

end of each of the ribs.

greases 6 the section 102-is detachably engaged as by' screw threadingor other detachable fastenings, with a closure 106 secured in a suitablemanner, as by a screw fastening 107, to the cap 92. The closure 106 mayrotate relative to the cap 92 or be held fixed and the covering section102 may be rotated relative thereto.

It will be apparent that the umbrella may be collapsed as shown intocompact relationship, and if desired, provided with a closure that willprotect and conceal the umbrella very substantially. Nevertheless, whenthe umbrella is extended to its open position, it will functionsubstantially as described above with respect to the other forms shown.

While the umbrella has been described as provided with a cover,preferably of elastic material, such as rubberized cloth, rubber, latex,etc., such elastic material is not required for the cover if a yieldableconnection be provided between the periphery of the cover and the outerSuch an elastic connection is shown in Fig. 14 in which the rib isdesignated at 110 and has a tip shown as separate from the body of therib, generally designated at 111, which tip is telescoped through asleeve 112. A coiled spring 113 is interposed between one end of thesleeve 112 and the tip portion 111, normally tending to force the latterin an outward direction. The covering 114 is attached in any suitablemanner to the sleeve 112. Thus upon opening movement of the ribs, whenthe latter approach their deadcenter positions as described above, atension will be past dead-center, after which the springs will applytension to the cover to maintain the latter taut. Any suitable elasticmaterial may be used in place of the springs.

The different forms of the invention, as described above, have materialadvantage over umbrellas generally in use heretofore, in addition tothose referred to above. The umbrella may be opened up when directlyabove the head instead of requiring its disposition at one side as hasbeen customary with most umbrellas in use heretofore. It will not beturned wrongside out by a high wind as it will yield to collapsingaction of a wind without destroying the umbrella or seriously damagingits construction. It may be used wherever collapsable covering isdesired as for personal umbrellas, beach use or on tractors.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in certainembodiments it is recognized that other variations and changes may bemade therein without departing from the invention as claimed.

We claim:

1. A folding umbrella comprising a handle, a control 1 unit slidablymounted on said handle, means-on said handle for retaining the controlunit thereon, ribs pivotally connected to said control unit, an elasticcover on said ribs, means secured to said handle, braces pivotallyconnected to said last-mentioned means, and means pivotally connectingsaid braces to said ribs.

2. A folding umbrella comprising a handle, a control unit slidablymounted on said handle, means on said handle for retaining the controlunit in different positions along the length of the handle, ribspivotally connected to said control unit, means on said control unit andon said ribs for detachably receiving a cover, and braces pivotallyconnected to said handle and slidably and pivotally connected to saidribs intermediate the ends thereof.

3. A folding umbrella comprising a handle, a control unit slidablymounted on said handle, means on said handle for retaining the controlunit thereon, ribs pivotallyconnected to said control unit, said ribsbeing adapted to receive a cover, a plate rotatably mounted on saidhandle, braces pivotally secured to said plate, and means pivotallyconnecting said braces to said ribs.

4. A folding umbrella comprising a handle, a control unit rotatably andslidably mounted on said handle, means located adjacent the ends of saidhandle for retaining the control unit selectively in longitudinallyspaced positions thereon, means on said control unit for detachablysecuring a cover thereto, ribs pivotally connected at one end to saidcontrol unit, means on said ribs for detachably securing a coverthereto, a plate rotatably mounted on said handle, said plate beingsecured against movement longitudinally of said handle, braces pivotallyconnected to said plate, and means slidably and pivotally connectingsaid braces to said ribs.

5. A folding umbrella comprising a handle, a plate rotatably mounted onone end of said handle, said plate being secured against movementlongitudinally of said handle, a control unit rotatably and slidablymounted on said handle, means on said handle adjacent said plate forretaining said unit in position on said handle, ribs pivotally connectedto said control unit, braces pivotally connected to said plate, meansslidably and pivotally connecting said braces to said ribs, and meansfor detachably securing a cover to said control unit and ribs on theside of said ribs opposite the braces, whereby when the control unit ismoved longitudinally of said handle away from said plate the ribs andbraces are moved to a position approximately parallel with said handleand the cover embraces said ribs therein.

6. A folding umbrella comprising a handle, a control unit rotatably andslidably mounted on said handle, means located adjacent the ends of saidhandle for retaining the control unit in longitudinally spaced positionsthereon, ribs pivotally connected to said control unit, said ribs beingadapted to receive a cover, a plate rotatably mounted on said handle,braces pivotally secured to said plate, means slidably and pivotallyconnecting said braces to said ribs, and a cup mounted on said handleadjacent the plate, said cup being positioned between the plate and thecontrol unit for sealing the control unit about the handle.

7. A folding umbrella comprising a handle, a control unit slidably androtatably mounted on said handle, said unit having an inner sleeve withan outwardly flaring rim on an end thereof, threads on the inside ofsaid sleeve, an outer sleeve fitted over said inner sleeve, said innerand outer sleeves being adapted to retain a cover therebetween, anoperating handle on the outer sleeve, threads on said first-mentionedhandle cooperating with the threads of the internal sleeve for retainingsaid unit in ditferent posi tions along the length of said firstmentioned handle, ribs pivotally connected with said inner sleeve andcircumferentially placed around the rim on said inner sleeve, and bracespivotally connected to said handle and slidably connected to said ribs.

8. A folding umbrella comprising a handle, a control unit slidably androtatably mounted on said handle, means on said handle for retaining thecontrol unit thereon, ribs pivotally connected to said control unithaving openings in the ends thereof, a circular cover, hooks securedadjacent the periphery of said cover, said hooks being detachablysecured to said ribs through the openings therein, a resilient memberhaving a hole therein atfixed to the center of said cover and attachedto said control unit, and braces pivotally connected to said handle andslidably and pivotally connected to said ribs intermediate the endsthereof.

9. An umbrella comprising a handle, a control unit slidably mounted onsaid handle, ribs pivotally mounted at one end on said control unit,braces connected with the ribs and the handle, and an elastic cover onthe ribs and connected with the opposite end portions thereof.

10. An umbrella, comprising an elongated staff, a sheet of elasticcovering material surrounding and connected with one end portion of thestafl, a control unit slidably mounted lengthwise on the staff, ribsconnected at outer ends with the peripheral portion of the coveringmaterial and having their inner ends pivotally connected with thecontrol unit, and braces connected with the ribs and the staff.

11. An umbrella, comprising an elongated staff, a sheet of coveringmaterial surrounding and connected with one end portion of the staff, acontrol unit slidably mounted lengthwise on the staff, ribs connected atouter ends with the peripheral portion of the covering material andhaving their inner ends pivotally connected with the control unit, saidcontrol unit being slidable lengthwise of the staff to opposite sides ofthe dead-center position of the ribs when the inner ends thereof are indirect radial alignment with the outer ends thereof holding the coveringmaterial in stretched relation, and means connected with the staff forengagement with the control unit to hold the umbrella in raisedposition.

12. An umbrella, comprising an elongated staff, a sheet of coveringmaterial surrounding and connected with one end portion of the staff, acontrol unit slidably mounted lengthwise on the staff, and ribsconnected at outer ends with the peripheral portion of the coveringmaterial and having their inner ends pivotally connected with thecontrol unit, braces extending lengthwise of the ribs toward the staff,and means pivotally connecting the inner ends of the braces with thestaff and pivotally connecting the outer ends of the braces with theribs intermediate the length of the latter, said control unit beingslidable lengthwise of the staff to opposite sides of the dead-centerposition of the ribs.

13. An umbrella comprising an elongated rod having a sleeve slidablymounted thereon intermediate its ends, a plurality of radially spacedelongated ribs having one of their respective ends pivotally mounted onsaid sleeve, a flexible cover having a central portion thereof connectedto one end of said rod, said ribs having their respective other endssecured adjacent the periphery of said cover, a plurality of radialspaced braces shorter than said ribs and having one of their respectiveends pivotally connected on said rod adjacent said one end, and saidbraces having their respective ends pivotally connected to said ribsintermediate the ends thereof, said flexible cover and ribs beingrelatively movable at the connections therebetween during opening andfolding movements of the umbrella.

14. An umbrella comprising an elongated rod having a sleeve slidablymounted thereon intermediate its ends, a plurality of radially spacedelongated ribs having one of their respective ends pivotally connectedto said sleeve, a flexible cover having a central portion thereofsurrounding said shaft, said ribs having their other respective endsconnected to said cover adjacent the periphery thereof, a plurality ofradially spaced braces of shorter length than said ribs having one oftheir respective ends pivotally connected with one end of said rod, saidbraces having their respective other ends pivotally connected with saidribs intermediate the ends thereof, said sleeve being reciprocal on saidrod between a point adjacent the other end of said rod to a pointadjacent said first end whereby said first and other ends of said ribspivot about said other ends of said braces to enter into and passthrough opposite sides of a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof said rod.

15. An umbrella comprising an elongated rod, a flexible cover, aplurality of radially spaced ribs having one of their respective endspivotally and slidably mounted on said rod, said ribs having their otherrespective ends con nected tosaid cover adjacent the periphery thereof,said first and other ends ofsaid ribs being movable into and out ofopposite sides of a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of said rod,said cover exerting a force on said ribs to constantly urge said one endof said ribs toward said one end of said rod after said one end of saidribs have passed through said plane toward said one end of said rod, and

means preventing said one end of said ribs from sliding past said oneend of said rod.

16. An umbrella comprising an elongated handle having the mid-portion ofa flexible cover connected to one end thereof, a sleeve slidably mountedon said handle, a plurality of elongated ribs having one of theirrespective ends pivotally connected on said sleeve and extendingradially therefrom, said ribs having their other respective ends securedto the periphery of said cover, a plurality of braces of shorter lengththan said ribs, said braces having one of their respective endspivotally connected to said rod adjacent one end thereof, a bracketrigidly secured to said ribs intermediate the ends thereof, said braceshaving their other respective ends pivotally mounted on said brackets,said ribs and said braces being positioned between said cover and saidhandle when said umbrella is collapsed.

17. A collapsable umbrella comprising a handle having a sleeve slidablymounted thereon, said sleeve being positioned adjacent one end of saidhandle when said umbrella is collapsed, a polygonal flexible and elasticcover having its central portion fixedly secured to said sleeve, aplurality of elongated ribs having one of their respective endspivotally mounted on said sleeve and having their respective other endsadjacent the other ends of said rod, said ribs having their respectiveother ends affixed to each apex of said polygonal cover, a plurality ofbraces of shorter length than said ribs having one of their respectiveends pivotally connected to the other end of said handle, a bracketmounted on each of said ribs intermediate their length, said braceshaving their respective other ends pivotally mounted on said brackets,whereby movement of said sleeve from said one end of said rod towardsits other end will cause said other end of said rib to pivot outwardlyaway from said other end of said handle thereby expanding and exertingtension in said cover, and said ribs pivoting on said sleeve beyonddead-center position as said sleeve is moved to a position adjacent saidother end of said handle.

18. A collapsible umbrella comprising an elongated handle having asleeve slidably mounted thereon, said sleeve being positioned adjacentone end of said handle when said umbrella is in collapsed position, apolygonal flexible and elastic cover having its central portion fixedlysecured to said sleeve, a plurality of elongated ribs having one oftheir respective ends pivotally connected to said sleeve, said ribshaving their free ends disposed adjacent the other end of said handlewhen said umbrella is in collapsed position, said ribs having theirrespective free ends secured to an apex of said polygonal cover, aplurality of braces of shorter length than said ribs having one of theirrespective ends connected to said other end of said handle, a bracketfixedly mounted on each of said ribs intermediate the ends thereof, saidbraces having their respective other ends pivotally connected on saidbrackets, said ribs and braces being parallel to each other, wherebymovement of said sleeve from said one end of said handle toward theother end thereof will cause said free ends of said ribs to pivot onsaid sleeve and said brackets away from said other end of said handle toexpand said cover under tension, said free ends pivoting beyond thedead-center with respect to said sleeve whereby said sleeve isconstantly urged toward said other end of said handle by the force ofsaid cover, and means to prevent said sleeve from passing said other endof said handle.

19. A collapsible umbrella comprising a handle and a sleeve slidablymounted on said handle and normally positioned adjacent one end of saidhandle, a plurality of ribs having one of their respective ends securedto said sleeve at spaced intervals, said ribs having their free endsdisposed adjacent the other end of said handle when said sleeve is inits normal position, a plurality of braces having one of theirrespective ends pivotally mounted on said handle adjacent said other endthereof, a bracket fixedly mounted on each of said ribs intermediatetheir respective ends, said braces having their other ends pivotallyconnected on said brackets, a flexible elastic cover having a centerportion thereof secured to said other end of said handle, said free endsof said ribs being secured to the periphery of said cover at spacedintervals, and said cover surrounding said ribs and braces when saidsleeve is in its normal position.

20. A collapsible umbrella comprising a handle and a sleeve slidablymounted on said handle and normally positioned adjacent one end of saidhandle, a plurality of ribs having one of their respective ends securedto said sleeve at spaced intervals, said ribs having their free endsdisposed adjacent the other end of said handle when said sleeve is inits normal position, a plurality of braces having one of theirrespective ends pivotally mounted on said handle adjacent said other endthereof, a bracket fixedly mounted on each of said ribs intermediatetheir respective ends, said braces having their ends pivotally connectedon said brackets, a flexible elastic cover having a center portionthereof secured to said other end of said handle, said free ends of saidribs being secured to the periphery of said cover at spaced intervals,means connecting said cover to each of said braces adjacent saidbracket, and said cover surrounding said ribs and braces when saidsleeve is in its normal position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS156,221 Hill Oct. 27, 1874 276,407 Hoke Apr. 24, 1883 506,289 Weber Oct.10, 1893 529,459 Neidig Nov. 20, 1894 929,497 Rose July 27, 1909 990,329Anderson Apr. 25, 1911 1,124,420 Gough Ian. 12, 1915 2,091,676 FliegnerAug. 31, 1937 2,492,376 Brillas Dec. 27, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 323,398Italy Dec. 19, 1934 560,714 France July 17, 1923

